Glossary · Programs
What is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides free or low-cost coverage to some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with disabilities. Each state sets its own income and resource rules.
Definition and figures from Medicare.gov, HealthCare.gov glossary, checked October 23, 2026. This page explains the term; it does not recommend a plan.
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Medicaid: the facts
| Item | Fact | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Each state, with federal funding | Medicare.gov: Costs for Medicare drug coverage |
| Expansion | Many states cover all people below certain income levels | HealthCare.gov glossary: Medicaid |
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What does medicaid mean in health insurance?
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides free or low-cost coverage to some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with disabilities. Each state sets its own income and resource rules.